Saratoga County jail opens unit for veterans, addicts

1of13Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo holds a press conference inside a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union2of13Lt. Ray Rodriquez of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department speaks during a press conference to announce a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union3of13Benjamin Deeb, a certified recovery peer advocate and member of prevention council staff, speaks during a press conference to announce a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)4of13Col. Richard Emory, Saratoga County Jail corrections administrator, speaks during a press conference to announce a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)5of13Interior of one of a newly renovated and expanded unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union6of13Col. Richard Emory, Saratoga County Jail corrections administrator, speaks during a press conference to announce a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union7of13Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo holds a press conference inside a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union8of13Interior of one of a newly renovated and expanded unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union9of13Cell inside a newly renovated and expanded jail units at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Sheriff Michael Zurlo has reserved a unit for veteran inmates and addiction services. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union10of13Interior of one of a newly renovated and expanded unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union11of13Lt. Ray Rodriquez of the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department speaks during a press conference to announce a newly renovated and expanded jail unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union12of13Interior of one of a newly renovated and expanded unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union13of13Interior of one of a newly renovated and expanded unit reserved for veteran inmates and addiction services at the Saratoga County Jail on Friday, Sept.13, 2019, in Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union

BALLSTON SPA – The Saratoga County jail has opened a new unit reserved for veterans and those struggling with addiction.

Sheriff Michael Zurlo said the new segregated pod for 31 nonviolent inmates will provide peer support as well as specialized services with hopes that once released, they will not re-offend.

"We don't want them to come in here and just sit, we want to give them the help that they need," Zurlo said on Friday. "The whole goal is to provide services to them when they are here so they don't come back once they are released."

Zurlo said the wing, a repurposing of the existing space, cost about $250,000. It will open to qualified inmates in about two weeks but will not reach its full capacity right away with a soft opening — first to those who are veterans and then to those struggling with addiction.

"We want the veterans to come in, get acclimated to the unit, let the staff get acclimated to the unit, see how things go and if we have tweak anything," Col. Richard Emery, principal administrator of the jail, said. "We think it's the best way to go."

Since 2014, the jail has partnered with Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency to provide peer support for veterans. Coordinator for the Incarcerated Veterans Program, Lt. Ray Rodriguez, said it has been successful transitioning veterans back into the community, but that the separate unit will offer another level of support.

"This is huge," Rodriguez said who calls the pod "an honor block." "It's nice to separate them from the general population because you put vets together, you have that camaraderie and they are able to really focus on the program and rehabilitation. If you put them in the general population, honestly, some of the conversations, aren't that therapeutic."

While Rodriguez works with the veterans, Benjamin Deeb, a former opioid addict and certified recovery peer advocate, works with those with addiction issues in the jail's Medicated Assisted Treatment or MATs program. A member of The Prevention Council staff, Deeb said he strives to form bonds with those who are seeking recovery.

"We want to be a beacon of hope for these men who are recovering, (showing) that is attainable and sustainable," said Deeb, who has been sober for two and a half years. "I've been in this jail personally so the fact that some of these men knew who I was before seeing me here working opens the door for a conversation."

Deeb said that substance use disorder affects 80 percent of the inmate population. Many in recovery are getting relief with suboxone and methadone. Some are veterans. Thus the decision to put them together.

"Everything kinds of goes hand-in-hand," said Rodriguez, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Currently, the jail houses 177 inmates. Those selected for the unit will have more freedom to move around, will do their own laundry and might not be forced into lock-up or lights out at midnight. The common area, with a television, microwave, game tables and a row of telephones, will host all of the therapy sessions.

"All of the group therapies will happen in this unit," Rodriguez said. "We are keeping together everyone who wants to improve. The outside influences affect their progress."

Those selected, Rodriguez said, will have to demonstrate accountability and maturity, attributes that are necessary for success in the world at large.

Prior to joining the Times Union, she wrote features on the arts and dance for the Daily Gazette, Saratoga Living and the Saratogian. She also worked for magazines and newspapers in Westchester County.

She contributes to the Saratoga blog. She can be reached at (518) 491-0454 or (518) 454-5445